REASON FOR READING: Because I am a rabid fan of the Kate Daniel’s series and have been patiently awaiting this 3rd release.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels… Drafted to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems these days than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games – an invitation-only, no-hold-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament- she and Curran, the Beast Lord, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community…

THOUGHTS/OPINION:Okay as the summary stated this book takes place in modern Atlanta Georgia where magic comes and goes. When it comes through the city all technology is lost and the people are crippled. When the magic leaves technology returns leaving people wondering when the next magic wave will hit. Many of the characters have horses or donkeys for the time the magic is down. Kate carries a sword with her at all times (AKA saber) b/c guns and weapons of that type don’t work when the magic is up. Kate has a suburb cast of secondary character ranging from pack members to a fellow knight who is a shifter. Add in a little girl she rescued in the last book feeling responsible for, and finally the Beast Lord who believes Kate is his. When you have a back up cast like that and a non stop action plot you get a wonderfully developed story that has you laughing out laugh in delight, gasping in horror, and sitting on the edge of your seat wondering how it will end.

Things I enjoyed:-I absolutely loved the plot and sub-plots that are weaved in throughout the story. Not many authors can keep me in suspense and laughing at the same time. Here’s a classic example (pg. 25): Kate has just rescued her friend Derek a werewolf who claims he doesn’t need help as he is leaving he stops and comes back to Kate. In a breath he halted by my side. “I lied I need your help.”“Who are we killing?”That is classic Kate when it comes to those she cares about.

-There are a ton of things I found wonderful about this book but the cutest thing and the one that made me laugh so hard was the tigress Dali. She is legally blind and was banned from driving (which she does drag racing) she was currently under house arrest for doing it. When she shifts from woman to beast she gets short term memory loss and cross eyed. Kate being concerned asked her old partner and shape shifter Jim if she was dangerous (this is the conversation that followed)Jim: “No she gags on raw meat and blood.”Kate“What?”Jim: “She won’t bite or scratch or she’ll vomit. She’s a vegetarian.”Kate: Oh boy. “But when she’s in beast form…”Jim: He shook his head. “She eats grass. Don’t ask.”See it doesn’t get any better than that. Trust me you will love this scene.

-The fighting and action scene in this book are wonderful and believable. I could totally see someone doing them and as I read each scene it was written so well I could actually picture the fight in my head.

-As I said these authors have a wonderful way of sucking you in so deeply to their story that you find you don’t want to leave their world. I can’t stand that I have to wait for the next installment. I have so many questions that I am dying to get answers too but will have to wait. WHAAAAAAAAA

Things I didn’t care for:-There isn’t much I didn’t care for in this book. The only thing was the Hindu legends and myths that are incorporated. They are little difficult to understand and grasp especially if this is the first time, like me, having heard them. Although fascinating I found I had to read and re-read it over a couple of times to understand the significance.

-I didn’t like how much Kate keeping trying to convince herself that she would just be another notch in the bedpost for Curran. She just wouldn’t except that he might actually want her for more than just sex and that got annoying after reading the other shifters opinions. I seriously doubt her shifter friends would lie to her about something so important.

-Even though this is a personal thing I really didn’t appreciate Derek getting hurt. I know a lot of girls love Curran and I do too. I think he and Kate are made for each other. However, Derek is my favorite character in these books and I was sorry to see him suffer. But than again that is a personal preference.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?KEEPING IT will defiantly be re-reading this series in the immediate future.

SCORE: 9 out of 10

Anything Else: .You do need to read the previous books in order to understand the complex relationships of the characters and the growth of Kate through the series.

REASON FOR READING: Well I’m working my way through the books. Love me some Harry.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}Harry Dresden is not having a good day. A vampire named Ortega is hunting the beleaguered wizard, intending to challenge him to a duel that, Ortega claims, will end the war between the vampires and the wizards. Harry has almost no hope of winning the duel, but soon he is preoccupied by another problem: Father Vincent, a priest, needs Harry's help in finding the Shroud of Turin, stolen by a trio of thieves. Harry traces two of the thieves to his hometown, Chicago, but when he finds them, he learns that he isn't the only one after them. A group of terrifying demons wants the shroud, and its leader is interested in Harry's soul, too. Harry must call on all of his friends, including three brave knights, his police-officer friend, and even his half-vampire ex-girlfriend, Susan. Butcher maintains a breakneck pace in Harry's exciting fifth adventure. This imaginative series continues to surprise and delight with its inventiveness and sympathetic hero.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:This book takes off where book 4 left us. Maybe a few weeks or months in between this book and the last I think. It starts off with Harry on a TV show that is trying to prove he’s a fraud not a wizard. During that time we learn that Harry is still trying to contact his old girlfriend whom he feels responsible for turning her into a half vampire (all it would take is for her to kill to turn completely) a member from the Red Court offers him a duel (in order to stop the war) and he is asked by a priest to find the shroud (the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in). He is attacked in the parking lot by hired guns and manages to take on all three tasks. And that was just in the first chapter. The action continues throughout the book as all the plots tie seamlessly into one another leaving you on the edge of your seating wondering how bad of a beating he will receive and will he survive it this time.

Things I enjoyed:-I love that Harry is a character that does what I can see everyday normal people making. Yes some of his decisions leave me speechless but his action and his character always back it up.-I love that the plot is weaved so well together that you have to know what is going to happen. The twist are just enough to make it real and believable and the characters never sway from their morals or beliefs.-The secondary characters in this story carried most if not all of the weight. Without them Harry would be just some guy fighting evil for no reason who gets his ass kicked.

Things I didn’t care for:-As the series progress it feels as if Harry continues to get in deeper and deeper with no end in sight for a HEA. Don’t get me wrong I’m not asking for that but I can’t see how this series is going to end on a good note.-Why does Harry have to get his butt serious kicked over and over. Just once I want to see him win without too much blood loss, just once.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? It was a library book because the series is so massive I have decided not to purchase the books but borrow them. However, if the series continues to keep getting better I might have to rethink that theory.

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: This is a series you will want to read this in order. Even though you can understand it and it can stand alone in order to truly appreciate this book you should read it in order.******100+ Book Challenge

Summary : {From Goodreads}In downtown Manhattan, a rising young painter is haunted by disturbing dreams...In small-town Minnesota, a teenage orphan struggles with a knowledge beyond his years-and a destiny he wants no part of...In California, young and old, hipsters and hippies, fall under the spell of a wildly charismatic singer whose voice breaks down all barriers-including the ones between heaven and hell.

The fans of Asha are finding one other-and the world is running out of time

THOUGHTS/OPINION:So first time I read this I gave it 5 stars or 9 out of 10. However, on my re-read I discovered that for some reason this book just wasn’t doing it for me. I couldn’t get past the switching POV’s the constant going back and forth. Jumping around from flashbacks to present. And really comprehending what in the world was going on.

This is a complicated book that is really interweaved quite well. Ms. Musk is an excellent writer and if I had been in the mood for a complicated story this would have been perfect. However since I wasn’t in the mood for it I found myself dreading the re-read part. The characters are well drawn out and fully fleshed out. You find yourself actually feeling sorry for the demon and taking her side. Even though if it was real you would be the enemy. LOL

IDK this book was a complicated story and I wish I had stayed with it. No I haven’t given it up and hopefully I will give it one more go before I do. Then again there are a lot of good books out there screaming for my attention.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

REASON FOR READING: Seriously? Um b/c I wanted to learn how to manage my money better.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}The success stories speak for themselves in this book from money maestro Dave Ramsey. Instead of promising the normal dose of quick fixes, Ramsey offers a bold, no-nonsense approach to money matters, providing not only the how-to but also a grounded and uplifting hope for getting out of debt and achieving total financial health.Ramsey debunks the many myths of money (exposing the dangers of cash advance, rent-to-own, debt consolidation) and attacks the illusions and downright deceptions of the American dream, which encourages nothing but overspending and massive amounts of debt. "Don't even consider keeping up with the Joneses," Ramsey declares in his typically candid style. "They're broke!"The Total Money Makeover isn't theory. It works every single time. It works because it is simple. It works because it gets to the heart of the money problems: you. THOUGHTS/OPINION:Alright this is a book about a man who was a self made millionaire by 26 and lost it all. He had the house, the clothes, the car, and the lifestyle to fit the status until one day he didn’t. In this book Mr. Ramsey shows us stories of his failure and success as well as others success with the program. Its an inspirational way to look at money and find hope when you feel as if there is nothing but sadness.

Things I enjoyed:-I loved that there are real life people who have stories submitted to this book to show me that even though I thought I had it bad others who had it worse are making it and getting out of debt.-His advice is common sense and something I should have known all along but yet don’t and didn’t. Wish I had read this in high school.-He has worksheets to help people after they finish the book. The worksheets are for budgeting and savings. Very good worksheets and very helpful to get back together with your money

Things I didn’t care for:-There was a lot of the book that didn’t pertain to me. Some examples were the chapters on saving for college and your family.-As a single woman with no children I found I was skipping some parts that were necessarily important to me at this point in my life which was a little frustrating.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? It was a library book but I made sure to write down the important stuff. And if I were ever to get married again I would more than likely buy the book for my husband and I to sit down and read together.

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: You have to read this book with an open mind and know that he is correct a problem that goes against the belief system we have established and that is to charge everything. Some of it is hard to swallow simply b/c I didn’t want to hear that I wouldn’t be able to just charge the new clothes and books I want…*******100+ Book Challenge

Okay what it is so far a lot of people that are involved in a huge plot. What I gather is Asha is returning to our world in order to gather an army that will destroy humans and allow members of hell to come up. How she is doing this? Well she has gathered together a musician addicted to heroine and made him come clean to make music. B/c the music is so good she is attracting a lot of people to come out in the middle of the desert. The purpose: Attract the army to her and have the boy (who is the key to hell) show up to do something.

The catch: Jess an artist that sees the boy and paints him. She is the way he can be saved but she has no idea how. Except a mysterious guy name Kia is trying to show her how without allowing his personal feelings to interfer with the goal. Saving mankind.

Whew. That's all I've got. Update to follow and I'm on page 86 slow read due to complex plot so whoops!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

You said you were reading 3 books? Well what's the scoop? Where's the dish? Why are we not seeing your thoughts? you might have wondered these same questions, then again maybe not. The point is I haven't read since lunch on MONDAY! MONDAY for Pete's sake.

Why?

Well after I got home on Monday late from work (had to work until 5:30 usually only work until 3:30) I started doing errands and finally got home around 6:30 started cooking and WHAM got a call from da boss asking me to come in Tuesday at 3 in the morning?!?After a lot of cussing I realized I had to a) finish dinner, b) finish putting crap up and c) get to bed right now, hope I can sleep in order to get 6 hours in before waking up at 2.

Did I sleep NO. Anywho got to work and WHAM had a meeting during lunch. Was allowed to leave at 1 but had to be back at 5:30 to cover the second shifts meeting. Then I had to bake a friend of mine at work asked for mini brownies for her bday so POOF there went last night (and I'm no baker by and by) so wow its been almost 2 days since I've read anything. I did manage to finish up Total Money Makeover and will post a review either later today or tomorrow.

Monday, March 23, 2009

So I'm currently focused on 3 books:Blood Angel by Justine Musk this is my re-read for the month. So far its going good and thankfully its been long enough I've forgotten the twist and turns so that's a bonus. The only complant so far is each chapter has been a different person's life happening. And I know towards the end they all come together or at least that's what I remember but sometimes it's hard to tell them apart and keep them straight. This is my work read.

The other book is The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. So far insightful it doesn't have any magically answers to my debt problem but it lays it out for me. I'm at the part where you are to save so much in an ER fund (makes sense) then work on your debt in a snowball effect. Needless to say I'm stuck on step 1 but that's okay I know I can do it just need to work on the baby steps first.

The last book I am reading is the home book and its Rapture in Death by JD Robb. I was suppose to read this series one a month to help my friend Christine catch up and do a joint review. That was last year and this was the book I left off on. LOL I suck but at least I am still reading. As far behind as I am I would have normally given up.

Okay those be the books. As I read I'll try to leave my thoughts on them here. What about you? What are you reading?

Saturday, March 21, 2009

BOOK DESCRIPTIONWhen a decades-old mass grave near a notorious Biloxi nightclub is unearthed, reporter Carson Lynch is among the first on the scene.The remains of five women lie within, each one buried with a bridal veil - and without her ring finger.

Once an award-winning journalist, Carson knows her career is now hanging by a thread. This story has pulled her out of a pit of alcohol and self-loathing, and with justice and redemption in mind she begins to investigate. Days later two more bodies appear, begging the question - is a copycat murderer terrorizing Biloxi, or has a serial killer awoken from a twenty-five-year slumber?

MY THOUGHTSIf you like mysteries then this is a book you might enjoy. It had a nice twist at the end that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had figured it out I was wrong. The sub plots were just as good not mystery detailed but still good. And it had my one weakness a person whose hit bottom and has to drag their sorry butts back up.

Things I Liked~ Although rough around the edges I enjoyed the main character Carson. She had a hard life and she was trying to pull it together. Although the only reason was the murder it still didn’t matter at least she tried.~ As I said above the mystery was pretty good and had an excellent twist. Just when I thought I had it poof something else happened. However, the twist was still believable and I did enjoy it.

Things I Didn’t Like~ I didn’t appreciate how Carson treated the men in her life. Yes it was understandable she lost a great deal but still she treated them harshly.~ There was a sub story of her friend Jack that I didn’t think was important enough to tie into the overall story.

Friday, March 20, 2009

So Revenant has picked up just a little, and by just a little I mean literally just a little. I can't for the love of God figure out why I won't put it down. The writing style is clean and crisp so that might be it, that or the author has figured out my weakness.

What is that you ask? Watching a messed up person get their life back together and that's exactly what's happening with Carson our heroine. I also can't figure out if this is a straight mystery or a love story. Will she get a HEA or will she get the sort of HEA you know the one that she could have an HEA in like 3 or 5 books down the road.

But now that I've said all that I don't think this is a HEA type of book. Seriously at this point i just want to figure out who did it. See if she will tell her sister that her husband is cheating and see which man she goes for. That's it. Seeing how I'm on Chapter 24 I think I might actually get all of the above soon. I hope

This was an interesting book that a lady from work wanted me to read. (I think its b/c I am ready to start dating again or something) Anywho, Steve Harvey doesn't mess around when it comes to ladies and men. He lays it all out on a table letting a woman know that men do not think like us. What we think love is and how we show it is not what a man will do. In fact according to Harvey there are only 3 ways a man shows us love.

I won't go into specifics and I won't say this is the end all to be all but it was an okay quick read. I enjoyed seeing a guys perspective of relationship and it was brutally honest even when it wasn't necessary. Mr. Harvey must be doing something right with so many people listening to his pod cast and radio shows that discuss the same topics he's put in this book.

I would give it a B

I liked it but like I said I won't base everything I've learned over the years off of it.

REASON FOR READING: I fell in love with the trilogy and had to read everything that has to do with the characters I’ve grown to love

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}The invitation is signed "Jaenelle Angelline," and it summons her family to an entertainment she had specially prepared. Surreal SaDiablo, former courtesan and assassin, arrives first. But when she enters the house, Surreal finds herself trapped in a living nightmare created by the tangled webs of Black Widow witches...and if she uses Craft to defend herself, she risks being sealed in the house forever.

But Jaenelle did not send the invitation. And now Jaenelle and her family must rescue Surreal and the others inside without becoming trapped themselves-and then discover who has created such a place, and why...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:I really enjoyed this book. I loved being able to visit the world again and seeing my favorite characters going through yet another adventure.

Things I enjoyed:I loved see Surreal in an environment where she wasn’t the strongest and showed some weakness it was a nice change for her. And I have to admit even though I would have pissed my pants if I was in that house I totally thought the house was cool and very interesting.I’m so glad the villain got what he deserved and he did deserve it considering what he did to Teresa b/c that was mean and I hated him for it. But I love that she personally got her revenge on him. Classic

Things I didn’t care for:There wasn’t much I didn’t enjoy. The book was spot on for what I wanted in the Black Jewels world and what I needed at the time. I got a fix without it hurting the previous books.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Sadly enough folks this was a library book but it is going on the To Be Bought pile as soon as it comes out in paperback.

SCORE: 9 out of 10

Anything Else: .You do not have to read the series to understand this book. HOWEVER, in order to fully appreciate the richness of the world Ms. Bishop has created you really should start at the beginning.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

At someone's suggestion? Although whose I can't remember any more. If I was a betting woman I would go with Ames but then again it could've been the Book Binge or Dear Author. *shrug*Anywho let me start off with... I am not a big mystery person/suspense. I will admit a good mystery is interesting I love to see how the authors do it. But its not my first choice. Which is why this book might take me some time. Unless it picks up quick I'm going to drop it and forget about it.

Let me see. So far we have a reporter who lost her daughter in a house fire, a DA who lost his whole family in accidents, and 5 bodies recently discovered from 1981. Now keep in mind this book takes place in 2005 so we have an older mystery. Plus it has just been discovered that four of the girls went missing at the same time in 1981 but whose the fifth and who committed the crime.

And that's where I'm at after 2 days of reading. These type of books don't allow a person to skim, or skip around which I am guilty of doing usually. So it is slow reading for me unless the suspense kicks up a notch. I will let you know tomorrow how lunch reading went today.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Tangle Webs last nigth VERY GOOD! Hopefully a review to follow Thursday or today not sure... Need to read a book by tomorrow for TBR. However, no historical romance in my TBR pile is catching my eye so I've picked out Revenant by Carolyn Haines. It's suppose to be this dark twisted mystery/suspense so we shall see and for some reason I am draw to those right now... Not sure what that means about me.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

TITLE: The Shadow QueenAUTHOR: Anne BishopCOPYRIGHT: 2009TYPE: FantasyPAGES; 448SERIES: oh yeah1. Daughter of the Blood2. Heir to the Shadow3. Queen of Darkness4. The Invisible Ring (need to read)5. Tangled Web (currently Reading)6. Dreams Made Flesh (read 2 of the 4 in this anthology)7. The Shadow Queen

REASON FOR READING: I fell in love with the trilogy and had to read everything that has to do with the characters I’ve grown to love

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}Dena Nehele is a land decimated by its past. Once it was ruled by corrupt Queens who were wiped out when the land was cleansed of tainted Blood. Now, only one hundred Warlord Princes stand—without a leader and without hope.

Theran Grayhaven is the last of his line, desperate to find the key that reveals a treasure great enough to restore Dena Nehele. But first he needs to find a Queen who remembers the Blood’s code of honor and lives by the Old Ways. The woman chosen to rule Dena Nehele, Lady Cassidy, is not beautiful and believes she is not strong. But she may be the only one able to convince bitter men to serve once again

THOUGHTS/OPINION:I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed catching up with J and D. I loved seeing S & L and learning where they were at in life. Aymless has a review posted that I tend to agree with. While I enjoyed reading and catching up with old friends their story tended to interfere with the new story revolving around Gray and Cassie. Whom I totally adore and what to know more about, I felt their story was rushed at the end and could have been a totally separate book from the others.

Things I enjoyed:Like I stated above it was really nice getting to see where the old friends where in life and seeing little flashbacks here and there of their lives previous to the trilogy. However, I would have liked either a book about them or a separate book. Or I would have even enjoyed another short story book like Dreams Made Flesh to catch up.I liked seeing Cassidy and Gray interact and felt there wasn’t enough of that interaction. I loved watching Gray struggle with his past to be the man that Cassidy needed in order to heal herself and I felt that in a way that was missing b/c we kept going back to D & J’s relationship.I did however, like how all the men from Sadi and Lucivar as well as the other warlord princes interacting with Cassie. Showing her how she should be treated as a Queen but never letting her get to big of a head. However, knowing Cassidy that wouldn’t have been a problem she was damaged not in the same way as Gray but still hurt bad enough that she needed healing too.

Things I didn’t care for:I did not, under any circumstance did I, enjoy Theran he was a complete and total ass through out the whole damn book. Is seriously kept hoping Lucivar would kill him. My God what a horrible person and try as I might I just couldn’t like him. He didn’t do anything that made me want to like him and if it wouldn’t have broken up her court I would have continued to wish him dead till the end. Hell even at the end I don’t feel as if he changed all that much. If there’s another book I hope it involves his death and his replacement. BLECH

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Sadly enough folks this was a library book but it is going on the To Be Bought pile as soon as it comes out in paperback.

SCORE: 8 out of 10 simple due to Theran

Anything Else: .You do not have to read the series to understand this book. HOWEVER, in order to fully appreciate the richness of the world Ms. Bishop has created you really should start at the beginning.

REASON FOR READING: I’ve read this series up to this book and have fallen madly in love with Harry

SUMMARY: {From the back of the book}Ever since his girlfriend left town to deal with her newly acquired taste for blood, Harry Dresden has been down and out in Chicago. He can’t pay his rent. He’s alienating his friends. He can’t even recall the last time he took a shower.The only professional wizard in the phone book has become a desperate man.And just when it seems things can’t get any worse, in saunters the Winter Queen of Faerie. She has an offer Harry can’t refuse if he wants to free himself of the supernatural hold his faerie godmother has over him – and hopefully end his run of bad luck. All he has to do is find out who murdered the Summer Queen’s right-hand man, the Summer Knight and clear the Winter Queen’s name.It seems simple enough, but Harry knows better than to get caught in the middle of faerie politics. Until he finds out that the fate of the entire world rest on his solving this case. No pressure or anything…

THOUGHTS/OPINION:I love Harry Dresden. I have no idea why but I love him. He is a man that always tries to do what’s right, he’s hurt a person he loves and now he feels guilty even though it wasn’t his fault. He’s down in his luck and the whole world appears to be against him. When other would just roll over and die Harry gets up and brushes off the dirt. He goes right back into the battle knowing it could be his last and he does it because it’s the right thing to do.

Things I enjoyed:Here’s a reason I love Harry it’s a conversation that Harry is having with his Godmother. In the previous book she attempted to turn him into a hound that she would then kennel. Here’s his response to her offer to help him in this book: I scowled at her. “You tried to turn me into one of your hounds and keep me in a kennel, godmother.”“you’d have been perfectly safe there, “ she pointed out. “And very happy. I only wanted what was best for you because I care for you, Child.”My stomach did a neat little rollover, and I swallowed. “Yeah. Uh. It’s very… you. I guess. In a demented, insane way, I can understand that.”

Another time he is talking to the local shifter pack:“All clear?” I asked.The wolf ducked his head in a couple of quick nods and dropped the flashlight on my foot. I picked it up. The wolf barked again and started off toward the wharf. I frowned at him and said, “You want me to follow you?”He rolled his eyes and nodded again.I started off after him. “If it turns out that Timmy’s stuck down the well, I’m going home.”

His sense of humor is great and he always manages to have something smart to say at the worse of times.

Things I didn’t care for:I hate that Harry is always getting his butt kicked. ALWAYS but then again I would hate it if he never got hurt. So really this is a no brainier.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing, there are too many in this series to ever think about going back to re-read.

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: .you don’t have to read this series in order. I think Mr. Butcher does an excellent job of letting it be a stand alone. But in order to fully appreciate the series. You should read it from the beginning.*******100+ Book Challenge24/100

Friday, March 13, 2009

Harry, Harry, Harry why oh why do you torture me so? You allow the bad guys to beat you down at every turn. They kick your ass, they stomp on you, they force you into bargins and yet, and yet you manage at every turn to save the world.Don't you know my poor heart can't take it any more. I can't stand to see you getting your butt kicked and I can't stand to watch your pain real or imaged. Oh Harry when oh when are you going to have something good happen to you for once? I'm dying here. Does anything go right for you?

Will the series end with your death or your redemption? Oh Harry how am I to survive 10 more books if book 5 hurts so much to read. *sigh* I guess this is something I will have to deal with I guess in order to figure out if you ever get your HEA...

Unless someone wants to let me know if the series picks up with Harry winning something a battle, or a woman or something?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Remember that last post I did about YA and how I don't enjoy reading it sometimes and what not. And how they whine and don't pay attention? Yeah well they did all the jazz in book 4 Feast of Fools but I'll be damned if I don't want to rush off and grab book 5. Ms. Caine is evil with the cliff hanger endings just evil!

So yeah I'll be picking that book up ASAP b/c I just can't stand sitting her wondering what's going to happen. Then I have to wait until freakin June for book 6.

Just in case you didn't know this about me I'll warn you. I CAN'T STAND IT WHEN I CATCH UP TO A SERIES and have to wait for the next book. Which is why I am usually always a few books behind everyone else. IT BLOWSAnywho review to follow this week.

REASON FOR READING: I’ve loved the series from the start and wanted to see where it would go.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town’s living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It’s only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he’s set for Morganville.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:This book started off slow for me even though it left off as a cliff hanger on the last book. I have to admit though I am starting to grow tired of YA books b/c of the main character. I just have a hard time dealing with the whining and complaining, not listening to anyone thought process. However, I also realize that they are teenagers and that’s what teenagers do LOL so it’s a catch 22

Things I enjoyed:The book picked up by a third of the way through I was hooked once again. Rachel Caine has a way of sucking you into her world and leaving you there breathless. Claire has matured a little she still had her whoa is me moments but they weren’t nearly as long or as bad as before.I enjoyed her and Shane getting closer and Shane holding back. He is a young man with a girl that would easily follow through but he is being a mature young man and holding off. He even knows his limits and doesn’t push it.Claire figuring out the feast and the game was wonderful and I loved discovering what Amelia would do with Bishop in town. And can I just say wow on the cliff hanger? OMG lovely now I want the next one like right now.

Things I didn’t care for:I didn’t care for the scenes where Claire was upset and jealous about the feast I understood why she would feel this way but I still wasn’t happy about it. I didn’t like that Shane had to go to the party but once I understood what was happening it made more sense.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping. Now that we are in the series fully I have a feeling I would read all the short books at once making a really long re-reading session.

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: .This is a series you have to read from the beginning. Otherwise you are just lost.***********100+ Book Challenge23/100

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Hey everybody (hey Dr. Nick). Okay Feast of Fools is the 4th book in the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine and I personally hope this book picks up from the last one. The series is starting to face the problem I have with a lot of YA books. The immaturity level makes me want to scream.

And yes I realize when I was that age I acted the same way and yes I know that they have to do mistakes in order to understand and grow. However, I still get sick of the I'm right and everyone I MEAN EVERYONE else is wrong. Period. End of Story. No compromises. And of course no thoughts on the subject again.

The part that gets me is the simple part of when they discover they were wrong that first time they don't say WHOOPS my bad and learn from it. NO they continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over and over again. That's why YA loses me after too many books in the series.

This book however, has 4 count it 4 teenagers and thankfully they balance each other out. And thankfully right now they are all relying on each other and learning from past mistakes. They still have their immaturity and they still have the I know what's right mentality but now they have others to consider so they are watching it.

I am really hoping this one picks up b/c last book was almost a DNF for me b/c of Claire. She isn't maturing as fast as I would like and I have to remind myself that the timeline in this series is very TIGHT. There are a few days inbetween each book if that. So Deep breathe I am on page 50 and so far not nearly as annoyed as I was when I finshed book 3 last year.

I am going to try and post a review on this one in a few days and the previous ones will hopefully be a re-read for me.

REASON FOR READING: I had read one of her books before and loved it. Just wanted to see what this one was about.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}Brutally battered wife Jessica Ramsey fakes her death and flees to Tennessee to make a new life for herself and her young son. But five years later a chance encounter with his twin brother reveals her new identity. And nobody fools Cole Ramsey twice

THOUGHTS/OPINION:While the suspense was good and the overall plot was okay it felt as if the suspense was the only thing holding the book together. Would Cole get her or not?

Things I enjoyed:I did enjoy seeing a woman who had been in an abusive relationship get out of it and survive. And not just one our main character Jessica but Alex and Cole (twins) had a mom in the same type of relationship.I was glad that Alex wasn’t like his father and the cycle of abuse didn’t continue

Things I didn’t care for:I didn’t like the ending. It was a little off for me like she was maybe going to do another book with these same people involved or something. It just didn’t flow right for me.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? passing

SCORE: 5 out of 10

Anything Else: .This isn’t one of her better books but I still enjoyed it enough to have to know what would happen.*************100+ Book Challenge

Monday, March 9, 2009

REASON FOR READING: Everyone kept talking about how wonderful this book was so I had to read it!

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}Annie Trimble lives in a solitary world that no one enters or understands. As delicate and beautiful as the tender blossoms of the Oregon spring, she is shunned by a town that misinterprets her affliction. But cruelty cannot destroy the love Annie holds in her heart.

Alex Montgomery is horrified to learn his wild younger brother forced himself on a helpless "idiot girl." Tormented by guilt, Alex agrees to marry her and raise the babe she carries as his own. But he never dreams he will grow to cherish his lovely, mute, misjudged Annie--her childlike innocence, her womanly charms and the wondrous way she views her world. And he becomes determined to break through the wall of silence surrounding her--to heal...and to healed by Annie's sweet song of love.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:This was a fantastic heart warming story. I enjoyed reading about Annie and how she grew under the love of Alex. And I really enjoyed watching Alex grow as a person who came to love Annie for herself.

Things I enjoyed:Alex and Annie’s story I loved watching Alex grow to understand that she wasn’t stupid or dumb but really she was deaf. Once he realized that it all began to make sense. And his love grew as he understood her world and what it had to be like for her. Their love was so endearing I loved watching it grow and shape to become something wonderful.I loved that Alex took Annie on even though he didn’t want and of course he had bad intentions at the beginning but the important part is he fought for her and did everything he could to make her life happy.

My favorite part was him explaining that Annie wasn’t going to lay an egg when she had the baby. That was freaking funny as all get out.

Things I didn’t care for:There wasn’t much I didn’t care for. I didn’t like that Douglas got away clean and easy after what he did to Annie. I really didn’t like her parents but they fit with the story. The only other thing I didn’t care for was Alex pushing Annie to be physical with him. I understand the thought behind it but no one had ever explained to Annie what physical meant and add to it she had been raped so she was really confused and yet he kept pushing.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: This is an excellent book very heart warming and I enjoyed it.*****************100+ Book Challenge

REASON FOR READING: I am getting ready to move and wanted to see if I still wanted to keep this on the shelf.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabil' ' n"—the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice- cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:Wow what a way to kick off a fantastic series. This has 2 storylines going on first the storyline of Sascha Duncan and her abilities (I won’t give it away b/c it is an important part of the story) the second storyline being the killer that is kidnapping young changeling women and torturing them as well as raping them. The fact that both stories are weaved together so well is amazing in it but to add in the fact of suspense and love and you get a powerful storyline.

Things I enjoyed:I enjoyed re-discovering this world and how it all began. I loved learning about the leopards and their worlds and when you throw in the wolves I was hooked. The psy have a very interesting world, it is very complex and difficult to follow but Ms. Singh has a fantastic writing ability that enables you to live in their world and understand what is happening.I also enjoyed Sascha and her constant struggle to be a normal psy who is fighting against her inner nature b/c she has been told her whole life she is broken. Not wanting to be rehabilitated she works at and struggles at being more psy, more cold, more unattached.Lucas is just the opposite he is full of love, touch and emotions. And he happens to just be the right man to help Sascha with her problems. Very nice…

Things I didn’t care for:It was hard to find one thing about this story that I didn’t like and I have to admit I liked that we didn’t have to see what the council was doing without it directly relating to Sascha (in other words her ease dropping) This time the Council doesn’t talk on their own.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Yeah after my re-read I’m still keeping it *drops head on desk*

SCORE: 9 out of 10 (Huh same score I gave it last time)

Anything Else: This is definitely a book you should read before starting the series. This book sets up the rest of the series and dips your toes in just enough to hook you into the series.

TITLE: Mine to PossessAUTHOR: Nalini SinghCOPYRIGHT: 2008TYPE: paranormal romancePAGES; 328SERIES: yes1. Slave to Sensation which I plan to re-read this month to kick off my re-read challenge also the book club choice at Reading Romance2. Vision of Heat3. Caressed by Ice

REASON FOR READING: I read the first three and this one was calling my name.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man, and lost his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.

Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare stalks her—-the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows...

Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again and hungers to possess her with a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past... or lose everything that ever mattered.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:This was yet another fantastic read from Ms. Singh she has created a fascinating world that sucks you in and doesn’t let you go until your body is on overload. I thought the last one was good because of the psy being a guy. But for some reason this friends to lovers story (which I should have saved for my TBR reading challenge but I’m glad I didn’t) was even better.

Things I enjoyed:This is yet another example of me actually liking the heroine which is weird for me and difficult for me to understand. Yes Tally had moments where I wanted to strangle her but not in the A typical way. She wasn’t tough as nails but yet she was strong, she wasn’t a fighter and yet she fought for those she cared about. The reasons I wanted to strangle her were her internal struggles of her feelings with worthlessness. And yet at the same time my heart broke for her because I understood why she had those thoughts. She was a fully fleshed out character that didn’t suddenly change her whole way to be with Clay. Tally actually grew into a woman I could respect and be friends with. And the love she had for Clay oh god the love it was perfect.

Clay was one of those cats I had forgotten about. Hard to image after reading this story but I had. I couldn’t remember him at all and then all of the sudden it came back in waves. He was the angry one the one that was the loner in the group more than V was. But yet nothing stood out about him. Until this book, Clay had a hard life he grew up as a leopard without a pack confined in a city. He fell in love with his mate as a child but was unable to recognize her as such until he felt it was too late. Clay loved Tally so deeply it was almost his undoing before he even got started. This was the perfect man for Tally to help her heal and grow as a woman and yet Tally was the perfect woman for Clay for the same reasons.

Things I didn’t care for:Again this wasn’t a problem for me. I even enjoyed the subplots of the Forgotten I found them interesting and I wonder where else she will take it. I even enjoyed the M psy her name is escaping me. I guess to make an even longer point there was nothing I didn’t like about this story.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 10 out of 10

Anything Else: I really think you have to read the first one in this series in order to understand what is going on in this book. This is simply due to the storylines tying into each other and the evolving storyline of the psy vs. changeling going on. Same as before but this might be able to be a stand alone. I still think you can get more out of it if you read the whole series though.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

TITLE: Caressed by IceAUTHOR: Nalini SinghCOPYRIGHT: 2007TYPE: paranormal romancePAGES; 361SERIES: yes1. Slave to Sensation which I plan to re-read this month to kick off my re-read challenge also the book club choice at Reading Romance2. Vision of Heat

REASON FOR READING: I read the first two and just had to read about the Ice Man.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now he is a defector, and his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins - cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted - and had her mind violated - by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives

THOUGHTS/OPINION:Okay it was exactly one year ago this month that I discovered this series. Why it has taken me so long to finish it up is beyond me and I regret every moment I wasted on other books that didn’t hit the spot. This is an excellent book revolving around some great characters and a fascinating world. I heart Nalini!

Things I enjoyed:Judd. That’s it in a heart beat I really enjoyed learning about Judd, watching him evolve into a great person, watching him struggle with his internal battle and external. And I loved watching him come into his own and take hold of his destiny and what he wanted.Breena was a fantastic character I LOVED HER and that is rare. I loved that she survived one of the worse things a person could go through. She came out of it and made her life work. It was hard on her but she did it. It was hard on me the reading seeing what she had gone through and watching her try her hardest to survive and live with the terror.Okay I’ll admit it I’m a skimmer especially when it comes to the sex scenes. Why? B/c usually I don’t care enough about he characters, or the scenes are pointless or worse just so off and out of character I roll my eyes and drop the book. However, the scenes here where Judd and Brenna finally get together are worth it. It stays in character they behave the way they should. And it fits perfectly and seamlessly into the book. In other words I read it LOL!

Things I didn’t care for:Again it is hard to really put my finger on anything I didn’t like. If there was something it would be… well crap I know there has to be something… Oh I’m one of those weird people who doesn’t like the ghost story line. I understand its importance and I am dying to know who he or she is but I don’t need it in the story. However, it did fit really well in this story line due to Judd’s occupation. Did I mention it is really hard to find something I don’t like about this story. Maybe the council but then again they fit as well. IDK I quit.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 9 out of 10

Anything Else: I really think you have to read the first one in this series in order to understand what is going on in this book. This is simply due to the storylines tying into each other and the evolving storyline of the psy vs. changeling going on.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Yeah b/c I need another one of those right? Only this one will be a personal one that anyone can join me on. I saw it over at Nath's blog and I thought huh? I should really do that before the move.

You see I have a ton of books in my TBR pile and while I was packing the keeper shelf I realized I have a TON of books on that shelf that I wonder if I would ever truly re-read. So here's where the challenge comes in.

I promise myself to re-read at least 1 if not 2 books from the keeper shelf every month. If I can't get through them or they don't bring me joy then they go to half price books and momma gets new books in return. And the more I weed out the less I have to pack and move in May or whenever I move again. Besides the whole point of the keeper shelf is to actually re-read those reads right?

As an added bonus to you I will post reviews as I re-read and compare them to the old reviews of the first time I read them (if I had them post or did a review) So you will get to see the other side of me.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I'm about 3/4's of the way through Caressed by Ice and I keep thinking why did I wait so long? I know it will be good. Hell I've been wanting to read it forever but yet I kept pushing it back? Why?

Anyway let me see on how to catch you up. Judd is an arrow which is an elite killing machine through the psy network. He realized that by following orders he was just a killer for some one who controlled the shots. He didn't like it and when his family wanted out of psynet he helped them. However, he truly believes he is evil and the only thing he is good for is killing.

Breanne (did I spell that right?) Was a victim of a horrible crime. The man in book 1 kidnapped her and violated her in everyway. Mind, body and soul but she survived. The only one in fact to survive his twisted game with sanity. And she wants to be healed. She has it in her head that Judd is the one that can do that. That she loves the man of ice.

But what will happen when he breaks silence? After all he has the same powers as the man who tortured and raped her. Will she be able to look past the differences and move on?So far so good!!!! OMG I love the part where he is showing her his TK ability and she is laughing. She told him the difference between him and the evil man was he was playing with her.And he asked "this is playing?"OMG broke my heart favorite part so far. I am dying to see what will happen with the story and if Judd will ever be able to give her what she needs. I hope to finish it tonight and post my review on Wednesday

BOOK DESCRIPTION Alistair Carsington really, really wishes he didn’t love women quite so much. To escape his worst impulses, he sets out for a place far from civilization: Derbyshire--in winter!--where he hopes to kill two birds with one stone: avoid all temptation, and repay the friend who saved his life on the fields of Waterloo. But this noble aim drops him straight into opposition with Miss Mirabel Oldridge, a woman every bit as intelligent, obstinate, and devious as he—and maddeningly irresistible.

Mirabel Oldridge already has her hands full keeping her brilliant and aggravatingly eccentric father out of trouble. The last thing she needs is a stunningly attractive, oversensitive and overbright aristocrat reminding her she has a heart--not to mention a body he claims is so unstylishly clothed that undressing her is practically a civic duty.

Could the situation be any worse? And why does something that seems so wrong feel so very wonderful?

MY THOUGHTSAlthough it is a Loretta Chase book and I love her writing I just couldn’t get into it. This is the first one of 3 and while most have raved about Lord Perfect I haven’t heard anything fantastic about this book. That should have been my first clue. Though well written I still found myself dreading that I choose that book to read this week.

Things I Liked ~ I did enjoy the sub-story of Alistair and what happened to him while he was fighting. And I did enjoy him as a character. He was something different and just when I thought I had him figured out it turned out I didn’t.~ Mirabel was a likable romance heroine. She was strong willed, and strong minded, she had ran her own estate for years but at the same time realized that she would have appreciated some help. She was stubborn and that was annoying but all and all she was enjoyable.

Things I Didn’t Like~ The overall story. The plot was slow to begin with and it all revolved around a cannel through Mirabel’s land that she doesn’t want there. So she matches wits with Alistair. And that’s about it there is no other plot. A total of 300 plus pages of them arguing why the cannel should or shouldn’t go through her land.~ While there were other sub plots it still revolved around this and towards the end it was a huge abrupt change from I will not allow it through my land to Oh I love you I will do whatever it takes to keep you including a cannel. Seriously?

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